SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
Why Do We Need 30 Cycle ATS?IEEE IAS Meeting – Atlanta, GAHarry Handlin – Solutions Architect
Agenda
• ATS Basics • ATS operation as a result of a fault• Selective Coordination• UL1008 – Transfer Switch Equipment• ATS Protection• UL1008 Ratings & Application Requirements
What is a Transfer Switch
Transfers Between Two SourcesIt is NOT an overcurrent protective deviceCan be manual or automatic
ATS Sequence of Operation – Standard Transition
Typical Application
Fault Downstream of ATS
Fault Upstream of ATS
NEC Requirements for Selective Coordination
ATS Applications & UL1008
Selective Coordination
P-120A
200A
800A
400A
P-2
OCPD Not affected
OCPD Opens
Unnecessary powerloss
Fault
P-120A
200A
800A
400A
P-2
Selectively CoordinatedFor the full range of overcurrents possible at P ‐1, only the 20A OCPD opens.
Not Selectively CoordinatedFor some overcurrents possible at P ‐1, the 200A, 400A & 800A OCPDs opens when only
the 20A OCPD should open
Power Distribution Equipment
Why 30 Cycle ATS?
• Allow Nest Time delays on UL1558 switchgear with no instantaneous trip functions
• Not a common application:• Requires UL1558 Switchgear on each source and UL1558 Switchgear downstream. If the downstream equipment is a UL891 Switchboard, some manufacturers can provide a 30 cycle bus rating.
• Elimination of instantaneous trip significantly increases the arc‐flash hazard (3 cycle trip versus a 30 cycle short time trip increases the energy by a factor of 10)
So Why Use a 30 Cycle ATS?
Facilitates Selective Coordination Design
G
CL1
CL3 CL4 CL5OCPD 7
CL2
Normal Source
OCPD 1
OCPD 2
OCPD 3
OCPD 8
OCPD 4 OCPD 5 OCPD 6
30‐Cycle ATS
• If Fault occurs at CL1, only OCPD7 should open…all other loads should remain operational
• The ATS must withstand a fault, close on potential fault and be functional after the fault to be properly coordinated…it must have a “UL Short Time Rating”
ATS Protection
Note: Cable Withstand CurveATS WCR POINT
Do we know if the ATS is properly applied?
ATS ASSUMED to be properly applied as long as available fault current less than WCR
ATS Protection
Assumption:ATS Damage Curve is an i2t function based on the 50KA at .050 second WCRIssues:1) ATS Damage Curve Not Published
or Tested2) ATS Damage Curve not recognized
by Standards3) UL1008 WCR (required), Specific
Breaker Ratings, and STR (optional) ratings are different
ATS Protection – Short Circuit Equivalent Circuit
• How long can the ATS withstand lower faults?
• What if the instantaneous pick-up of the upstream breaker is above the available fault current?
ATS Protection
• How long can the ATS with a WCR rating withstand lower faults?Unknown ‐ No Published information
• What if the instantaneous pick‐up of the upstream breaker is above the available fault current?ATS may not be protected
7th Edition of UL1008 addresses these issues
UL1008 7th Edition
Several Major Changes• “Any Breaker” (WCR) Rating replaced with a time based rating– Current and time listed on ATS UL Label• ATS less than 400A WCR at .025 seconds (~1.5 Cycles)• ATS 400A & Above WCR at .050 seconds (~3 Cycles)
• Specific Breaker Requirements changed–Net result is less breakers listed• Based on maximum instantaneous trip setting
• Label instructions – Includes statements about how the ATS ratings are applied
UL1008 7th Edition
UL1008 7th Edition Coordinated Breaker
UL Required Labeling for ATS with WCR
UL Stance ‐ ATS with only a WCR
ATS With Only a WCR Must Be Protected by Fuses or a by an “LI” Circuit Breaker
• Eliminates most molded case breakers
• Fuses and /or LI circuit breakers (thermal magnetic) may not provide the desired selective coordination
Circuit Breakers with LI Trip Units
UL1008 Optional STR
UL1008 requires an STR (Short Time Ratings) or a coordinated breaker rating when the ATS is protected by a breaker with a Short Time Trip• STR test requirements exceed the WCR requirements• STR requires ATS to carry full load after fault event–WCR has no requirements for the contacts which experience the fault
WCR – STR Comparison
STR WCR
Withstand a Fault Event Yes Yes
Close‐on to a Fault Event Yes Yes
Temperature Rise Test Yes No
Must be Functional after Fault Event?
Yes No
Deliver 100% Power to Load after a Fault Event
Yes No
ATS Application Summary
• NEC requires selective coordination for Emergency Systems, Legally Required Standby Systems, COPS, and Hospitals
• Selective Coordination is required for almost all applications which would utilize an ATS
• Selective Coordination is achieved by using circuit breakers with Short Time Trip function
• 7th Edition UL1008, effective November 2014, requires an ATS with only a WCR rating, protected by a breaker with a short time trip function, to be have the optional Short Time Rating (STR).
• Coordinated Breaker Rating in UL1008 does not require a STR when the circuit breaker has a Short Time Trip Function (Standard not consistent)
• Today ~95% of all circuit breakers sold have a Short Time Trip Function.
Market Awareness
• Most ATS Manufacturers are not raising the issue
• MEP Consultants are starting to ask questions
• Statements being made in Coordination Studies